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2/12/09

The Statesman (Kolkata) editor and publisher have been charged with insulting Muslims, police said on Thursday, over article savagely attacking the Prophet Mohammed. Ravindra Kumar, editor of the Kolkata-based Statesman, and Anand Sinha were arrested and later bailed on Wednesday after a local Muslim leader complained about the piece, which was first published in Britain's Independent newspaper.

The article by columnist Johann Hari was entitled 'Why should I respect these oppressive religions?' and contained allegations about Prophet Mohammed's life and his treatment of Jews.

On Wednesday thousands of Muslims burned copies of The Statesman, one of India's oldest English-language newspapers, outside its Kolkata head office in protest.

Kumar and Sinha have been charged with 'committing a deliberate act with malicious intent to outrage religious feelings.'

Hari defended his article, telling Thursday's Independent that he supported 'the right to criticise religion - all religion.'